Bill killed to tighten smoking in vehicles

• By WILL SENTELL
• Advocate Capitol News Bureau
• Published: Apr 29, 2008 - Page: 4A - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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A bill that would outlaw  smoking in cars and trucks that have passengers under age 18 was quickly killed Monday by a House committee.

Critics said the legislation by freshman Rep. Walker Hines is well-intentioned, but it would go too far.

“I think your bill is a quantum leap whose time has not come,” Rep. Hollis Downs, R-Ruston, said.

Downs and other members of the House Transportation, Highways and Public Works Committee voted without objection to shelve the proposal, House Bill 1021.

Existing law bans smoking in cars and trucks with passengers under age 13.

Penalties can include fines of up to $150 or 24 hours of community service per offense.

Hines, D-New Orleans, said his plan would help prevent underage smoking and reduce problems caused by second-hand smoke.
“This is a public health issue,” Hines told the panel.

He said he used to  be driven by an uncle who smoked in the vehicle.

“I just felt sick breathing all that toxic air,” Hines said.

Committee members showed no interest in approving the legislation for debate in the full House.

“Do you think smoking is the most egregious thing you can do in a car?” asked Rep. Nita Hutter, R-Chalmette, the chairwoman of the committee.

Downs said there is a difference between shielding   “captive” youngsters in a car or truck and those in their mid-to-upper teens.

Rep. Karen St. Germain, D-Pierre Part, a member of the panel, said the issue needs more study.